Exeter Family Friendly has launched an online tool called the Financial Forecast Calculator to help advisers visually display the importance of income protection.

The mutual claims its latest initiative is the latest a long line of developments to help advisers grow their sales of income protection.

Mike O’Brien, head of sales and marketing at Exeter Family Friendly, said: “Many consumers are blind to the financial mess they could end up in if they were unable to work as a result of ill health. We see it as our role to help advisers change this worrying situation.

“Our new calculator is a simple tool that captures information on income, expenditure and sick pay; to give a 12-month snapshot of a client’s finances if ill-health stopped them from working.

“The results are sure to be shocking to many, revealing a huge gap and a large financial hole to climb out of, unless income protection is put in place.

“This isn’t complicated; just a simple five minute exercise for advisers to help them display visually how vital this product really is.”